RPS Triple Carbon...my opinion so far...

[TT_6SPD_95]

Hello everyone,


I wanted to let everyone have a chance to know about the new RPS Triple Clutch setup before they purchase it if in fact anyone is considering purchasing this clutch. First I should give a little background about my old clutch setup which was the RPS Dual Carbon. When I first installed this clutch I was very pleased with its performance as I was used to having to change a clutch out after about 40 passes or so down the track running in the low 10 second range with my setup at the time. The dual carbon took abuse over and over again and I fortunately never had a problem with mine...although I have heard of horror stories with this clutch, so not sure why I never had an issue? If you did a search on here you will also find my findings after taking the clutch out after many, many passes and a lot of miles of street driving to find out the clutch had very, very, very little wear on it. This clutch was in my car for probably about 3 years or so until I decided I better go with the Triple setup as I was approaching the limits of the Dual Carbon, or that is what was recommended anyway. When I took this clutch out it was in perfect working order, so I sold it to a fellow member here on the site. The RPS Dual Carbon was always a very strong clutch for me...I really do not have one bad thing to say about mine except the pedal pressure was harder than stock which was expected.

So, this brings us to the RPS Triple Carbon. I purchased the RPS Triple Carbon clutch setup directly from RPS as they changed the design utilizing the stock hydraulics and such with the car. Installing the clutch was a bit more detailed, but overall everything went together very well and everything came in the kit as stated would all the way down to the lock tite. RPS is now even installing the bearing on the pressure plate for you too!

First drive with the new Triple Carbon showed a VERY noticable difference with the RPS Triple. The pressure of the clutch was a huge difference...very light feeling and that was VERY nice indeed! Taking off on the street with the clutch was noticably better as well...hardly any shake at all...almost stock like. I honestly didn't expect the clutch to be this user friendly, but I do like it! The next step was breaking in the clutch and make sure it shifted out of gears well at high rpm, etc.

After breaking in the clutch I put about 22-24lbs of boost to it, went to high RPM and was able to easily shift the car...very nice feeling. I have heard that the original design of the old triple setup had problems with this, but the new triple is awesome in this area! RPS said that they did fix issues with the clutch and that was the only reason I went with it in the first place and they seem to have it down really well!

So far I have had the clutch to around 33lbs of boost and it has worked flawlessly. The clutch does everything it is supposed to do and more as I didn't know it was going to be that light of a feel and able to take off even easier now from just cruising around on the streets. You can literally baby this clutch at about 1,000rpm from a takeoff and it hardly shutter or anything...very, very nice clutch indeed.

I will report back with any further findings and you better believe I will be taking everything apart and measuring the discs, etc after more miles are on the car. This is exactly what I did on the Dual Carbon setup and I will do the same on this clutch. So far I have around 2K miles on the clutch as I have drove the clutch 3 or 4 times to Springfield, MO (about 3 hours from me) and on multiple other longer types of drives.

Hope this information might help out anyone interested in purchasing the new RPS Triple setup. Stay tuned as I will be posting more info in the future about this clutch setup.

[grandporschegt]

great info thank you...

[TurboMatt]

Thanks for the very informative post. If possible, can you list some of the single disk clutches you've used? Also, how different is the engagement from the dual to tripple. I see you state how smooth the tripple is but you don't mention how harsh/smooth the dual disc was and as well, the singles you've used.

Thanks!
Matt

[gilberjj]

nice writeup. Thanks

[dazzadude]

I have an RPS triple too. I had the original version (push type) first and never really worked well in my opinion. The seal in the hydrolic push system ended up bursting and i got straight onto RPS.
They completelt understood, took the clutch system back even though it had been a few months since I purchased it (but it sat around most of the time in the box).

They sent me back the updated pull style, It was a little difficult to fit with a VW intake manifold because it hit the firewall before the engine tilted all the way back far enough to install the transmission, but it did fit.

I have been running it for over a year and never once had another problem. Its very slippable, and still very streetable.
I woyuld recomend this clutch to anyone who want to be able to use this clutch for everyday driving as well as racing. A great investment.

Making 600+hp everyday.
Held over 1300Hp on the dyno
Oh, the Push style that blew the seal, still held over 1250HP on the dyno AFTER it blew.

Thanks for producing a triple plate racing clutch that won't burn out on the street.

[GT47]

very interesting info.. i'd like to see how it holds up on the track

[1flossedm3]

Thanks for the info, I've been looking at RPS C/C for awhile.

[TT_6SPD_95]

Originally Posted by TurboMatt

Thanks for the very informative post. If possible, can you list some of the single disk clutches you've used? Also, how different is the engagement from the dual to tripple. I see you state how smooth the tripple is but you don't mention how harsh/smooth the dual disc was and as well, the singles you've used.

Thanks!
Matt

Matt,

When I was on stock twins and nitrous back in 2000 or so I went with a RPS 6 puck...think the pressure plate was blue. I have photos still from the install if I need to verify. I put this clutch in shortly after going 11.1@125mph with the car with an air filter, down pipe, upped boost and a 100 shot. That was back in the day with ET Streets and stock front wheel/tires.

After getting more power that clutch didn't seem to hold up as much, so I went with the Feramic Clutch that Horsepower Freaks recommended in that time period. That clutch did hold more power than the RPS 6 puck, but it only lasted around 40 passes or so...I was running low 10's at the time.

Both of the above clutches were very, very shaky if you ever tried to slip the clutch and it was extremely noticable when trying to load the car on a trailer...they made all kinds of scary noises.

The RPS Dual Carbon was a definite upgrade as far as power handling over long periods of time, not siezing from slipping, etc, etc. Pushing the clutch pedal in was about the same as the other clutches, but engagement was smoother than the other clutches.

The RPS Triple has a VERY light feeling when pushing in the clutch pedal and is soooo easy to take off with. You can take off with this clutch at 1,000rpm or so no problems as the clutch has very, very little to no jerkiness at all to it. The RPS Carbon Carbon was a lot better than the single disc clutches at this, but the RPS Triple Carbon is a LOT better feel than the RPS Dual Carbon as far as drivability.

Actually, Emily (Turbo_Supra_Girl) has the RPS Carbon Carbon and she has had no issues with it at all as far as performance. She pushed my clutch in for the first time and backed the car out of the driveway and within about 15 seconds she said she was going to change out her clutch to the RPS Triple Carbon. LOL It is a VERY light feel and has just an amazing drivability feel to it.

So far it has held power well and I will be turning the boost up even more and let everyone know how it goes. I will also be sure to measure the discs after a while longer to see how everything is doing in that area. If it is anything like the RPS Carbon Carbon it will have very little wear especially with 3 discs to transfer all of the wear over.

[TT_6SPD_95]

Originally Posted by GT47

very interesting info.. i'd like to see how it holds up on the track

I was very interested in this area as well and early on with the new engine setup I drove the car down to Rogersville, MO which is near Springfield, MO. I was just on lower boost a the time with the new engine setup only running about 116mph in the 1/8. The clutch was perfect and shifted very smoothly every single time as I ran the car probably about 5 times or so down the track that day. Could not be happier with this clutch setup so far with its power handling and smooth engagement.

[marshallpre1]

thanks for the info. Have you changed or upgraded any parts of your clutch system? For instance, clutch lines, slave, and/or master cylinders?

I ask because I have an inline6performance 6-puck single disk feramic with a very heavy pressure plate and I think my slave cylinder is having difficulty pushing out the disk.

Thanks,
Jeremy

[1A1]

Thanks for the update on the new clutch!

Steve

[TT_6SPD_95]

Originally Posted by marshallpre1

thanks for the info. Have you changed or upgraded any parts of your clutch system? For instance, clutch lines, slave, and/or master cylinders?

Thanks,
Jeremy

Jeremy,

No I have not upgraded anything, but I did change my slave cylinder once because I accidentally put too much pressure on the rubber line and cracked it, so obviously had to get another one. Everything else is factory original.

[Steve Theodore]

Hey Tony,

Assuming it's not already there, why don't we move this to the Shops and Parts Reviews section? Sound good to you?

[TT_6SPD_95]

Originally Posted by Steve Theodore

Hey Tony,

Assuming it's not already there, why don't we move this to the Shops and Parts Reviews section? Sound good to you?

Hey Steve,

Sounds good to me.


Thanks

[Steve Theodore]

Done...thanks for the great review Tony.

[TurboMatt]

Originally Posted by TT_6SPD_95

The RPS Dual Carbon was a definite upgrade as far as power handling over long periods of time, not siezing from slipping, etc, etc. Pushing the clutch pedal in was about the same as the other clutches, but engagement was smoother than the other clutches.

The RPS Triple has a VERY light feeling when pushing in the clutch pedal and is soooo easy to take off with. You can take off with this clutch at 1,000rpm or so no problems as the clutch has very, very little to no jerkiness at all to it. The RPS Carbon Carbon was a lot better than the single disc clutches at this, but the RPS Triple Carbon is a LOT better feel than the RPS Dual Carbon as far as drivability.

Thanks for the info. The main reason I ask is because my single disk seems to work absolutely wonderful compared to what most people say about the single disk clutches. It's a RPS Carbon Claw 6 puck. It's been very slippable and not much chatter at all. There is of course more than the stock clutch but not as bad as some of the other cars I've driven. A friend had a HPF Feramic in his stock twin car and that thing was brutal. The car would shake around alot and that clutch felt like a on/off switch.

Here is a vid from several years ago where I still used/tried drag radials with the RPS Carbon Claw. Pardon the camera mount, it was mounted to a 6" piece of pvc screwed to the cardboard on the back of the rear seat, not exactly stable . http://videos.streetfire.net/video/M...ideo_80629.htm , anyway, this clutch has been very slippable and even held 595 rwtq (75shot with the stock twins).

Did you take any pics of the tripple vs dual during the install?

[TT_6SPD_95]

Originally Posted by TurboMatt

Thanks for the info. The main reason I ask is because my single disk seems to work absolutely wonderful compared to what most people say about the single disk clutches. It's a RPS Carbon Claw 6 puck. It's been very slippable and not much chatter at all. There is of course more than the stock clutch but not as bad as some of the other cars I've driven. A friend had a HPF Feramic in his stock twin car and that thing was brutal. The car would shake around alot and that clutch felt like a on/off switch.

Here is a vid from several years ago where I still used/tried drag radials with the RPS Carbon Claw. Pardon the camera mount, it was mounted to a 6" piece of pvc screwed to the cardboard on the back of the rear seat, not exactly stable . http://videos.streetfire.net/video/M...ideo_80629.htm , anyway, this clutch has been very slippable and even held 595 rwtq (75shot with the stock twins).

Did you take any pics of the tripple vs dual during the install?

The single disc clutches work great (except the shaking part of it) until you make North of around 700rwhp and drag race the car a lot and then they seem to fail rather quickly. I can definitely testify to the Feramic clutch setup being very shaky...you could slip it, but be ready for some car shaking. That clutch lasted me about 40 passes or so down the track when I was in the low 10's at around 140mph or so in the 1/4. I think that Tony M. and a couple others found that the feramic clutch setup lasted just about the same amount of time as mine did before it died. The other thing it would do once in a while is seize after doing a burnout which you could get unstuck with a screwdriver if you had to.

I do not have any experience with the Carbon Claw and its capabilities of holding power. What is it rated at?

[TurboMatt]

I think the Carbon Claw is rated at 825 ft/lbs. I've been very happy with it but don't know of anyone else running it.

[Seattle Express]

This thread is very comforting. I hope the good news continues because I received mine today from MVP, and I'll post my own views as soon as it's broken in.

[TT_6SPD_95]

Originally Posted by Seattle Express

This thread is very comforting. I hope the good news continues because I received mine today from MVP, and I'll post my own views as soon as it's broken in.

Just take your time installing this clutch as it is a little bit tedious with all of the discs and such. You will absolutely love driving the car with this clutch setup.

[mpunisher]

let me know next time you go to irwindale on a thur night. i rarely see other supras out there running. although it is only the 1/8 its still be nice.

[pheobo]

+1 on the RPS tripple carbon. I too am running the billet tripple. We have a few passes on it, many dyno pulls and street the car on E85 at 850 WHP. It's holding up so far.

The drive ability is AMAZING. Still likes to be be slipped a little, but compared to the C/C it's wonderful.

[Seattle Express]

Originally Posted by TT_6SPD_95

Just take your time installing this clutch as it is a little bit tedious with all of the discs and such. You will absolutely love driving the car with this clutch setup.

How much time should I be looking at as far as installation?

[TT_6SPD_95]

Originally Posted by Seattle Express

How much time should I be looking at as far as installation?

It just really mainly depends on how quick/slow you are at taking the transmission out of the car. Have you ever changed out a clutch before in the Supra?

[pheobo]

Originally Posted by Seattle Express

How much time should I be looking at as far as installation?

It took a friend and I about 4 hours. That's with about an hour spent on removing and installing the drive shaft because I have the Carbon fiber shaft and didn't have rounded allen sockets. HAd to do it by hand and that SUCKS! We also spent about 30 minutes cleaning up the casing and underside of the car.

I have removed the tranny and changed the clutch once before, my friend had also done it a couple times.